U.S. patent number 7,322,747 [Application Number 10/882,000] was granted by the patent office on 2008-01-29 for leak proof closure device with spring member.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Glad Products Company. Invention is credited to Michael G. Borchardt.
United States Patent |
7,322,747 |
Borchardt |
January 29, 2008 |
Leak proof closure device with spring member
Abstract
A closure device includes a spring member to increase the
sealing action of the closure device. The closure device is
particularly suitable for use with flexible containers. The closure
device includes a male and a female closure element that include
male and female hook portions, respectively. The male and female
hook portions interlockingly engage with one another to provide a
leak proof seal for the flexible container. The spring member is
attached to one of the closure elements and acts upon the hook
portions of the other closure element to increase the sealing
action of the closure device.
Inventors: |
Borchardt; Michael G.
(Naperville, IL) |
Assignee: |
The Glad Products Company
(Oakland, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
35505828 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/882,000 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20050286813 A1 |
Dec 29, 2005 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/63;
24/585.12; 383/61.2; 24/30.5R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
33/2541 (20130101); Y10T 24/15 (20150115); Y10T
24/45168 (20150115); Y10T 24/262 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
33/16 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;383/61.2,63,64,59
;24/585.12,DIG.50,400 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Newhouse; Nathan J.
Assistant Examiner: Morgan; Jack
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Feix; Thomas C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A closure device for a flexible resealable leak proof container
defining an interior and exterior, the closure device comprising: a
male longitudinally extending closure element, the male closure
element includes a base portion and a pair of spaced-apart webs
extending therefrom, each male web including and terminating in a
respective male hook portion, the male base portion, webs and hook
portions being integrally formed in one piece, the male hook
portions facing away from one another; a female longitudinally
extending closure element adapted to interlockingly engage the male
closure element over a predetermined length, the female closure
element includes a base portion and a pair of spaced-apart webs
extending therefrom, each female web including and terminating in a
respective female hook portion, the female base portion, webs and
hook portions being integrally formed in one piece, the female hook
portions extending toward one another, the female hook portions
adapted to engage and mate with the male hook portions when the
closure device is fully occluded; and at least one spring member
extending from and integrally formed in one piece with the base
portion of at least one of the closure elements, the at least one
spring member including a free end that acts directly on at least
one of the hook portions of the other closure element when the
closure device is fully occluded.
2. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring
member is integrally attached to the base portion of the female
closure element and the at least one spring member acts upon at
least one of the male hook portions.
3. The closure device of claim 2, wherein the at least one spring
member includes two spring members.
4. The closure device of claim 3, wherein the two spring members
extend away from one another.
5. The closure device of claim 3, wherein the two spring members
extend toward one another.
6. The closure device of claim 2, wherein the spring member is
attached between the pair of female hook portions.
7. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring
member is integrally attached to the base portion of the male
closure element and the at least one spring member acts upon at
least one of the female hook portions.
8. The closure device of claim 7, wherein the at least one spring
member includes two spring members.
9. The closure device of claim 8, wherein the two spring members
extend away from one another.
10. The closure device of claim 8, wherein the two spring members
extend toward one another.
11. The closure element of claim 7, wherein the pair of webs of the
male closure element comprises a first web and a second web, the
first web having a first side and a second side, the second web
having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first
web and the second side of the second web being adjacent to one
another, the at least one spring member being disposed adjacent to
the first side of the first web.
12. The closure element of claim 7, wherein the pair of webs of the
male closure element comprises a first web and a second web, the
first web having a first side and a second side, the second web
having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first
web and the second side of the second web being adjacent to one
another, the at least one spring member being disposed adjacent to
the first side of the second web.
13. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the male closure element
includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed guide wings
that integrally attach to and extend from the base portion, the
guide wings being adapted to guide the female hook portions and
webs of the female closure element during occlusion of the closure
device.
14. The closure device of claim 13, wherein the guide wings act
upon the webs of the female closure element when in a fully
occluded position.
15. The closure device of claim 13, wherein the guide wings act
upon the female hook portions of the female closure element when in
a fully occluded position.
16. The closure device of claim 13, wherein the at least one spring
member is attached to the base portion of the male closure element
between the guide wing and web of the male closure element adjacent
the exterior of the container and acts upon at least one of the
female hook portions.
17. The closure device of claim 13, wherein the at least one spring
member is attached to the base portion of the male closure element
between the guide wing and web of the male closure element adjacent
the interior of the container and acts upon at least one of the
female hook portions.
18. The closure device of claim 13, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least three spring members, at least one of the
at least three spring members is attached to the female closure
element between the female hook portions, at least one of the at
least three spring members is attached to the male closure element
between the guide wing and web adjacent the exterior of the
container, and at least one of the at least three sprig members is
attached to the male closure element between the guide wing and web
adjacent the interior of the container.
19. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring
member is curved.
20. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least two spring members, at least one of the
at least two spring members is attached to the male closure
element, and at least one of the at least two spring members is
attached to the female closure element.
21. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least two spring members, at least one of the
at least two spring members is attached to the male closure
element, and at least one of the at least two spring members is
attached to the female closure element.
22. The closure device of claim 1 wherein the at least one spring
member is a straight member.
23. A flexible resealable leak proof container that defines an
interior and exterior, the container comprising: a thin film
defining first and second sidewalls; a closure device, the closure
device further comprising male and female longitudinally extending
closure elements adapted to interlockingly engage one another over
a predetermined length, the male closure element includes a base
portion and a pair of spaced-apart webs extending therefrom, each
male web including and terminating in a respective male hook
portion, the male base portion, webs and hook portions being
integrally formed in one piece, the male hook portions facing away
from one another, the female closure element includes a base
portion and a pair of spaced-apart webs extending therefrom, each
female web including and terminating in a respective female hook
portion, the female base portion, webs and hook portions being
integrally formed in one piece, the female hook portions extending
toward one another and adapted to engage and mate with the male
hook portions when the closure device is fully occluded, thereby
defining an interior and exterior of the container, and at least
one spring member extending from and being integrally formed in one
piece with the base portion of one of the male or female closure
elements, the at least one spring member including a free end that
acts directly on at least one of the hook portions of the other
closure element when the closure device is fully occluded.
24. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member is integrally attached to the base portion of the female
closure element and the at least one spring member acts upon at
least one of the male hook portions when the closure device is in
the occluded position.
25. The container of claim 24, wherein the at least one spring
member includes two spring members.
26. The container of claim 25, wherein one spring member extends
toward the interior of the container and acts upon the male hook
portion adjacent the interior of the container, and one spring
member extends toward the exterior of the container and acts upon
the male hook portion adjacent the exterior of the container.
27. The container of claim 25, wherein the two spring members are
attached between the pair of female hook portions.
28. The container of claim 24, wherein the at least one spring
member extends toward the interior of the container and acts upon
to the male hook portion adjacent to the interior of the
container.
29. The container of claim 24, wherein the at least one spring
member extends toward the exterior of the container and acts upon
the male hook portion adjacent the exterior of the container.
30. The container of claim 24, wherein the spring member attached
between the pair of female hook portions.
31. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member is integrally attached to the base portion of the male
closure element and the at least one spring member acts upon at
least one of the female hook portions when the closure device is in
the occluded position.
32. The container of claim 31, wherein the at least one spring
member includes two spring members.
33. The container of claim 32, wherein one spring member extends
toward the interior of the container and acts upon the female hook
portion adjacent the interior of the container and one spring
member extends toward the exterior of the container and acts upon
the female hook portion adjacent the exterior of the container.
34. The container of claim 32, wherein one spring member extends
toward the exterior of the container and acts upon the female hook
portion near the interior of the container and one spring member
extends toward the interior of the container and acts upon the
female hook portion near the exterior of the container.
35. The container of claim 31, wherein the at least one spring
member extends toward the interior of the container and acts upon
the female hook portion adjacent the interior of the container.
36. The container of claim 31, wherein the at least one spring
member extends toward the interior of the container and acts upon
the female hook portion adjacent the exterior of the container.
37. The container of claim 31, wherein the at least one spring
member extends toward the exterior of the container and acts upon
the female hook portion adjacent the interior of the container.
38. The container of claim 31, wherein the at least one spring
member extends toward the exterior of the container and acts upon
the female hook portion adjacent the exterior of the container.
39. The container of claim 31, wherein the pair of webs of the male
closure element comprises a first web and a second web, the first
web having a first side and a second side, the second web having a
first side and a second side, the second side of the first web and
the second side of the second web being adjacent to one another,
the at least one spring member being disposed adjacent to the first
side of the first web.
40. The container of claim 31, wherein the pair of webs of the male
closure element comprises a first web and a second web, the first
web having a first side and a second side, the second web having a
first side and a second side, the second side of the first web and
the second side of the second web being adjacent to one another,
the at least one spring member being disposed adjacent to the first
side of the second web.
41. The container of claim 23, wherein the male closure element
includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed guide wings
integrally attached thereto and extending therefrom, the guide
wings being adapted to guide the webs of the female closure element
during occlusion.
42. The container of claim 41, wherein the guide wings act upon the
webs of the female closure element when in an occluded
position.
43. The container of claim 41, wherein the guide wings act upon the
female hook portions of the female closure element when in an
occluded position.
44. The container of claim 41, wherein the at least one spring
member is attached to the base portion of the male closure element
between the guide wing and web of the male closure element adjacent
the exterior of the container and acts upon at least one of the
female hook portions.
45. The container of claim 41, wherein the at least one spring
member is attached to the base portion of the male closure element
between the guide wing and web of the male closure element adjacent
the interior of the container and the acts upon at least one of the
female hook portions.
46. The container of claim 23, wherein the male and female closure
elements are connected to the film, the film extending between the
closure elements.
47. The container of claim 46, wherein the closure elements are
positioned on the same side of the film.
48. The container of claim 46, wherein the closure elements are
positioned on opposite sides of the film.
49. The container of claim 46, wherein the closure elements are
integrally attached to the film.
50. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member is curved.
51. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least two spring members, at least one of the
at least two spring members is attached to the male closure
element, and at least one of the at least two spring members is
attached to the female closure element.
52. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least four spring members, at least two of the
at least four spring members are attached to the male closure
element, and at least two of the at least four spring members are
attached to the female closure element.
53. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least three spring members, at least two of the
at least three spring members are attached to the male closure
element, and at least one of the at least three spring members is
attached to the female closure element.
54. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member comprises at least three spring members, one of the at least
three spring members is attached to the male closure element, and
at least two of the at least three spring members are attached to
the female closure element.
55. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one spring
member is a straight member.
56. A method of manufacturing a closure device, comprising:
providing a male longitudinally extending closure element, the male
closure element including a base portion and a pair of spaced-apart
webs extending therefrom, each male web further including and
terminating in a respective male hook portion, the male base
portion, webs and hook portions being integrally formed in one
piece the male hook portions facing away from one another;
providing a female longitudinally extending closure element adapted
to interlockingly engage the male closure element over a
predetermined length, the female closure element including a base
portion and a pair of spaced-apart webs extending therefrom, each
female web further including and terminating in a respective female
hook portion, the female base portion, webs and hook portions being
integrally formed in one piece, the female hook portions extending
toward one another, the female hook portions adapted to engage and
mate with the male hook portions when the closure device is fully
occluded; and providing at least one spring member extending from
and being integrally formed in one piece with the base portion of
at least one of the closure elements, the at least one spring
member including a free end that acts directly upon at least one of
the hook portions of the other closure element when the closure
device is fully occluded.
57. The method of claim 56, further providing a thin film and
attaching the male and female closure elements to the thin film,
wherein the thin film extends between the closure elements.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the thin film, the spring
member and the male and female closure elements are provided in an
integrally formed unitary body.
59. A closure device for a flexible resealable leak proof container
defining an interior and an exterior, the closure device
comprising: a male longitudinally extending closure element, the
male closure element includes a base portion and a pair of
spaced-apart webs extending therefrom, each male web including and
terminating in a respective male hook portion, the male base
portion, webs and hook portions being integrally formed in one
piece, the male hook portions facing away from one another; a
female longitudinally extending closure element adapted to
interlockingly engage the male closure element over a predetermined
length, the female closure element includes a base portion and a
pair of spaced-apart webs extending therefrom, each female web
including and terminating in a respective female hook portion, the
female base portion, webs and hook portions being integrally formed
in one piece, the female hook portions extending toward one
another, the female hook portions adapted to engage and mate with
the male hook portions when the closure device is fully occluded;
and at least one spring member extending from and integrally formed
in one piece with the web portion of at least one of the closure
elements, the at least one spring member including a free end that
acts directly on at least one of the hook portions of the other
closure element when the closure device is fully occluded.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a closure device and,
more particularly, to a resealable leak proof closure device with a
spring member. The invention is particularly well suited for
fastening flexible storage containers, including plastic bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of closure devices for closure of containers, including
plastic bags, is generally well known. The closure device and the
associated container are formed, typically, from thermoplastic
materials. The manufacture of closure devices by extrusion is
generally known to those skilled in the art of closure devices.
Closure devices are generally either extruded and then attached to
the container or integrally formed with the container.
These devices are resealable, which allows the container to be
reused. In general, a closure device provides relatively high
resistance to opening from interior the container while rendering
the container relatively easy to open from the exterior. However,
in certain circumstances, it may be desirable for a closure device
to provide high resistance to opening from the exterior as
well.
The interior of the container may be under relatively high pressure
or relatively low pressure because of varying internal contents and
external environments. To provide the appropriate resistance to
opening from the interior or exterior and to keep the container
closed, closure devices typically use a combination of interlocking
hooks. In some closure devices, the contact surfaces between the
interlocking hooks provide the primary seal for the container. One
difficulty with this design may be providing a secure closure and
an air tight or leak proof seal while maintaining a closure that is
easy to occlude as well as open from the exterior. On occasion it
may occur that the interlocking hooks may not contact each other,
yet remain occluded, because of slight variations in the hooks or
because the conditions under which the closure device is used cause
the hooks to not contact each other as shown in FIG. 33. If, while
in an occluded position, the interlocking hooks are not intimately
mated, the closure device may not adequately provide an air tight
or leak proof seal.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, the present invention provides an improved
closure device for flexible containers. More particularly, the
present invention is directed to a closure device that provides
improved sealing action for a flexible container, a container
including such a closure device and a method of manufacturing the
closure device.
In accordance with the present invention, the closure device
provides male and female closure elements that interlockingly
engage with one another and extend a predetermined length.
Typically, this length is the width of the flexible container to
which the closure device is designed to apply. Both the male and
the female closure elements include hook portions that facilitate
the interlocking engagement of the closure device while in an
occluded position. Furthermore, at least one of the closure
elements includes a spring member to facilitate the sealing action
of the closure device. The spring member increases the seal of the
closure device by increasing the contact forces between the
interlocking hook portions causing the hook portions to more
intimately mate. It also increases the sealing action by creating
an additional contact surface that creates an additional impediment
that restricts the contents of the container from leaking
therefrom.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed invention,
the closure device may include multiple spring members. These
additional spring members may be attached to either the male or
female closure elements. By providing additional spring members,
the closure elements are more securely interlockingly engaged and
more contact surfaces are provided to restrict the contents of the
bag from leaking therefrom.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be
more readily apparent upon reading the following description of the
invention and upon reference to the accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible container including a
closure device in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of
one embodiment of a closure device in accordance with the
invention, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 2,
shown in an occluded position.
FIGS. 4-7 are cross-sectional views of the embodiment of the
invention illustrated in FIG. 2 illustrating the typical occlusion
sequence of the closure devices in accordance with the
invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 8,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 10,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 12,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 14,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 16,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 18,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 20,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 22,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 24,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 26,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device, shown in a non-occluded position.
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 28,
shown in an occluded position.
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a closure device in accordance
with the invention, wherein male and female closure elements are on
the same side of a film.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a closure device in accordance
with the invention, wherein male and female closure elements are on
opposite sides of a film.
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
closure device.
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a closure device wherein the
hooks are not contacting each other.
FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a closure device wherein the
fit is loose.
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
closure device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible container according to the present
invention in the form of a plastic bag 100 including a sealable
longitudinally extending closure device 102. The closure device 102
extends substantially the width of the bag 100. The bag 100 is
formed from a thin plastic film 104 which is U-folded at the bottom
106 of the bag 100. The film 104 establishes sidewalls 108, 110 for
the container. Typically, the sidewalls 108, 110 are heat sealed at
vertical edges 112, 114, thereby forming a container. The ends of
the closure device 102 are heat sealed. The sidewalls 108, 110
extend beyond the closure device 102 to provide mouth portions 116,
118 to simplify opening of the bag 100 and, more particularly, the
closure device 102. The entire closure device 102 is typically
occluded by beginning at one edge of the bag and working toward the
other edge of the bag such as, from edge 112 to edge 114.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of a leak proof closure
device 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention, shown in a non-occluded position. The closure device 102
comprises female and male closure elements 130, 132, which
interlockingly engage over a predetermined length. The female and
male closure elements 130, 132 may be extruded and then attached to
a side wall of a container.
The female closure element 130 includes a base portion 134, a pair
of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs 136, 138, a pair of female
hook portions 140, 142, and a spring member 144. The webs 136, 138
extend from the base portion 134 and include and terminate in the
female hook portions 140, 142, respectively. The female hook
portions 140, 142 extend toward one another. The female hook
portions 140, 142 include guide surfaces 146, 148 which serve to
guide the female closure element 130 and, more particularly, the
female hook portions 140, 142 during occlusion of the female and
male closure elements 130, 132. The spring member 144 extends from
the base portion 134. Typically, the base portion 134, the webs
136, 138, and the spring member 144 of the female closure element
130 are integrally formed in a unitary body.
The male closure element 132, which is adapted to interlockingly
engage and mate with the female closure element 130, includes a
base portion 150, a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs
152, 154, a pair of male hook portions 156, 158 and a pair of
spaced-apart, parallely disposed guide wings 160, 162. The webs
152, 154 extend from the base portion 150 and include and terminate
in the male hook portions 156, 158, respectively. The male hook
portions 156, 158 extend away from one another and are adapted to
engage the female hook portions 140, 142, respectively. The male
hook portions 156, 158 include guide surfaces 164, 166 which serve
to guide the male closure element 132 and, more particularly, the
male hook portions 156, 158 during occlusion of the female and male
closure elements 130, 132. The guide wings 160, 162 extend from the
base portion 150 and are disposed parallel to the webs 152, 154.
Typically, the base portion 150, webs 136, 138, and guide wings
160, 162 of the male closure element 132 are integrally formed in a
unitary body.
FIG. 3 illustrates the closure device 102 in FIG. 2, but shown in
an occluded position. In the occluded position, the female hook
portions 140, 142 interlockingly engage the male hook portions 156,
158. Particularly, female hook portion 140 engages male hook
portion 156, generally, at contact surface 168 and female hook
portion 142 engages male hook portion 158, generally, at contact
surface 170. Contact forces between the engaged hook portions
resist opening the container. Furthermore, the contact surfaces
168, 170, where the hook portions engage one another, provide seals
for closure device 102.
In the occluded position, the closure device 102 defines an
interior 172 and an exterior 174 of a container. In this
embodiment, the spring member 144 extends towards the interior 172
of the container. As illustrated, the spring member 144 is curved.
It should be noted that the spring member may have other shapes.
For example, in the non-occluded position, the spring member may be
a substantially straight member or a "z-shaped" member. The spring
member 144, which extends from the base portion 134 of the female
closure element 130, acts upon the male hook portion 158, which is
adjacent the interior 172 of the container. By acting on the male
hook portion 158, the spring member 144 forces the male hook
portion 158 against the female hook portion 142, which the male
hook portion 158 engages. In addition, by acting on the male hook
portion 158, the spring member 144 causes the female hook portion
142 to be drawn toward the male hook portion 158. Together these
actions cause a more intimate mating and sealing of male hook
portion 158 and the female hook portion 142 at contact surface 170.
As well as increasing the seal at contact surface 170, the spring
member 144 provides an additional seal at contact surface 176,
which is where the spring member 144 acts upon the male hook
portion 158. Thus, the spring member 144 substantially increases
the sealing action of the closure device 102 while in the occluded
position by increasing the sealing action at contact surface 170 as
well as providing an additional seal at contact surface 176. As
disclosed below in other embodiments of the invention, additional
spring members may be added to the closure device. These additional
spring members provide additional contact surfaces that act as
seals by restricting the contents of the bag and preventing them
from leaking. The spring members also improve the sealing action
between the interlockingly engaged male and female hook portions by
improving the engagement of the closure elements.
FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the general occlusion sequence of a closure
device 102 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates
the beginning of the occlusion sequence, wherein the guide surfaces
146, 148 of the female hook portions 140, 142 and the guide
surfaces 164, 166 of the male hook portions 156, 158 begin to
contact. Particularly, guide surface 146 of female hook portion 140
and guide surface 164 of male hook portion 156 begin to contact one
another. Guide surface 148 of female hook portion 142 and guide
surface 166 of male hook portion 158 begin to contact one another.
If the female and male closure elements 130, 132 are not aligned
properly at this time, the guide wings 160, 162 assist in aligning
the closure elements 130, 132 for proper occlusion.
In FIG. 5, the female and male closure elements 130, 132 have begun
to be pressed together. As the closure elements 130, 132 come
closer together, the guide surfaces 146, 148 of the female hook
portions 140, 142, respectively, begin to slide relative to the
guide surfaces 164, 166 of the male hook portions 156, 158,
respectively. In addition, the webs 136, 138 of the female closure
element 130 begin to deflect resiliently away from one another,
while the webs 152, 154 of the male closure element 132 begin to
deflect resiliently toward one another.
In FIG. 6, the female and male closure elements 130, 132 are
pressed closer together, as compared to FIG. 5. The guide surfaces
146, 148 of the female hook portions 140, 142, respectively,
continue to slide relative to the guide surfaces 164, 166 of the
male hook portions 156, 158, respectively. Webs 136, 138 of the
female closure element 130 increasingly deflect resiliently away
from one another. The webs 152, 154 of the male closure element 132
increasingly deflect resiliently toward one another. Furthermore,
as the male and female closure elements 130, 132 continue towards
one another, the spring member 144 begins to contact the guide
surface 166 of the male hook portion 158 at contact surface
176.
In the occluded position illustrated in FIG. 7, the female and male
closure elements 130, 132 are interlockingly engaged. In this
position, the female hook portions 140, 142 substantially engage
the male hook portions 156, 158, respectively. Furthermore, the
webs 136, 138 of the female closure element 130 and the webs 152,
154 of the male closure element 132 return to a substantially
un-deflected state that is substantially similar to the
un-deflected state in FIG. 4. However, it should be noted that some
deflection of the webs may exist in the occluded position.
In this occluded position, the spring member 144 is deflected
resiliently substantially towards the base portion 134 of the
female closure element 130. The resilient deflection of the spring
member 144 causes the spring member 144 to act upon the male hook
portion 158 at contact surface 176 and forcing male hook portion
158 into female hook portion 142, thereby providing an increased
sealing action at contact surface 170. The contact surface 176
between the spring member 144 and the male hook portion 158, also,
provides an additional seal.
The guide wings 160, 164 of the male closure element 132 assist the
occlusion of the female and male closure elements 130, 132. The
guide wings 160, 164 may be provided as outer alignment members
that guide and funnel the female and male closure elements 130, 132
toward one another during occlusion.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the claimed
invention in the non-occluded and occluded positions, respectively.
This disclosed embodiment is similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 2
and 3. However, in this embodiment, the spring member 244 that
extends from the base portion 234 of the female closure element 230
extends towards the exterior 274 of the container. As best seen in
FIG. 9, the spring member 244 acts upon a male hook portion 256
adjacent to the exterior 274 of the container while in the occluded
position. Particularly, the spring member 244 acts upon guide
surface 264 at contact surface 276.
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of a closure device
in accordance with the invention in the non-occluded and occluded
positions, respectively. This embodiment is similar to and is a
combination of the embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 8. In this
embodiment, two spring members 344, 378 extend from the base
portion 334 of the female closure element 330. As best illustrated
in FIG. 11, spring member 344 acts upon the male hook portion 356
adjacent to the exterior 374 of the container at contact surface
376. Spring member 378 acts upon the male hook portion 358 adjacent
to the interior 372 of the container at contact surface 380.
FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of the claimed invention,
shown in a non-occluded position. In FIG. 12, the female closure
element 430 includes spring member 444 and is similar to that
disclosed in FIG. 2. The male closure element 432 of this
embodiment includes a spring member 478 that extends from base
portion 450. The spring member 478 is disposed between and is
substantially parallel to the web 452 and the guide wing 460 that
are adjacent to the exterior 474 of a container.
FIG. 13 illustrates the embodiment in FIG. 12 in the occluded
position. As illustrated, the spring member 478 extends towards the
interior 472 of the container and it is integrally attached to the
base portion 450. In this embodiment, the spring member 478 acts
upon the female hook portion 440 adjacent to the exterior 474 of
the container.
FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a further embodiment of the claimed
invention, shown in a non-occluded and an occluded position,
respectively. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment in FIGS.
12 and 13. This other embodiment similarly includes a spring member
544 that extends from the base portion 534 of the female closure
element 530. However, the spring member 578 that extends from the
base portion 550 of the male closure element 532 extends towards
the exterior 574 of the container. Similar to the embodiment in
FIG. 13, the spring member 578 in this embodiment acts upon the
female hook portion 540 adjacent to the exterior 574 of the
container.
FIG. 16 illustrates a further embodiment of a closure device of the
claimed invention, shown in a non-occluded position. This
embodiment is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 12, except for the
positioning of the spring member 678. This embodiment similarly
includes a spring member 644 that extends from the base portion 634
of the female closure element 630. As seen in FIG. 16, the male
closure element 632 of this embodiment includes a base portion 650
and a spring member 678 that extends from the base portion 650. The
spring member 678 is disposed between and is substantially parallel
to the web 654 and the guide wing 662 that are adjacent to the
interior 674 of the container. The spring member 678 extends
towards the interior 672 of the container, and it is integrally
attached to the base portion 650. FIG. 17 is an illustration of
this embodiment in the occluded position. In this embodiment, the
spring member 678 acts upon the female hook portion 642 adjacent to
the interior 672 of the container.
FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate another embodiment of the claimed
invention, shown in a non-occluded and an occluded position,
respectively. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment in FIGS.
16 and 17. This embodiment similarly includes a spring member 744
that extends from the base portion 734 of the female closure
element 730. However, in this embodiment, the spring member 778 of
the male closure element 732, extends towards the exterior 774 of
the container.
FIG. 20 illustrates a further embodiment of the claimed invention,
shown in a non-occluded position. This embodiment is a combination
of the embodiments in FIGS. 12 and 18. This embodiment similarly
includes a spring member 844 that extends from the base portion 834
of the female closure element 830 and functions as explained
previously. However, the male closure element 832 includes a base
portion 850 and two spring members 878, 882 that extend toward one
another and extend from the base portion 850. The first spring
member 878 is disposed between and is substantially parallel to the
web 852 and the guide wing 860, which are adjacent to the exterior
874 of the container. The second spring member 882 is disposed
between and is substantially parallel to the web 854 and the guide
wing 862, which are adjacent to the interior 872 of the
container.
FIG. 21 is an additional illustration of the embodiment in FIG. 20,
shown in an occluded position. In this embodiment, the first spring
member 878 acts upon a female hook portion 840 adjacent to the
exterior 874 of the container. The second spring member 882 acts
upon a female hook portion 842 adjacent to the interior 872 of the
container.
FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a further embodiment of the disclosed
invention, shown in a non-occluded and an occluded position,
respectively. The embodiment is similar to the embodiment in FIGS.
20 and 21. This embodiment similarly includes a spring member 944
that extends from the base portion 934 of the female closure
element 930. However, the spring members 978, 982 that extend from
the base portion 950 of the male closure element 932 extend away
from one another.
FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a further embodiment of the disclosed
invention, shown in a non-occluded and an occluded position,
respectively. The embodiment is similar to and is a combination of
the embodiments in FIGS. 10 and 22. The female closure element 1030
is the same as the female closure element 330 disclosed in FIG. 10.
The female closure element 1030 includes two spring members 1044,
1078 that extend from a base portion 1034 of female closure element
1030. The spring members 1044, 1078 extend away from one another.
The male closure element 1032 is the same as the male closure
element 932 disclosed in FIG. 22. Similar to FIG. 22, the male
closure element 1032 in this embodiment includes two spring members
1082, 1084 that extend from a base portion 1050. The spring members
1082, 1084 extend away from one another. In another configuration
of this embodiment, the spring members 1082, 1084 of the male
closure element 1032 may be adapted to extend toward one another.
This other embodiment would have a male closure element 1032
similar to the male closure element 832, illustrated in FIGS. 20
and 21.
FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention,
shown in a non-occluded position. This embodiment is similar to the
embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the female
closure element 1130 is substantially the same as the female
closure element 130 illustrated in FIG. 2. Female closure element
1130 includes a base portion 1134, a spring member 1144 and a pair
of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs 1136, 1138. The spring
member 1144 and webs 1136, 1138 extend from base portion 1134.
The male closure element 1132 is similar to the male closure
element 132 disclosed in FIG. 2. The male closure element 1132
includes a base portion 1150, a pair of spaced-apart, parallely
disposed guide wings 1160, 1162 and a pair of spaced-apart,
parallely disposed webs 1152, 1154. The guide wings 1160, 1162 and
webs 1152, 1154 extend from the base portion 1150.
Best illustrated in FIG. 27, the difference between this embodiment
and the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2 is that the guide wings
1160, 1162 and the webs 11136, 1138, in this embodiment, are
adapted such that the guide wings 1160, 1162 contact and act upon a
portion of the webs 1136, 1138 of the female closure element 1130.
The guide wing 1160, which is disposed adjacent to the exterior
1174 of a container acts upon web 1136 at contact surface 1186. The
guide wing 1162 which is disposed adjacent to the interior 1172 of
a container acts upon web 1138 at contact surface 1188. As a
result, webs 1136, 1138 of the female closure element 1130 are
laterally pressed against webs 1152, 1154 of the male closure
element 1132, respectively.
While in the occluded position, the sealing action of the closure
device 1102 increases by having the guide wings 1160, 1162 act upon
webs 1136, 1138. The additional contact surfaces 1186, 1188 provide
additional seals. Additionally, the seal between interlocking web
1136 and web 1152 improves because of the increased pressure
between the two members. For the same reasons, the seal between
interlocking web 1138 and web 1154 improves.
FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate an additional embodiment, shown in a
non-occluded and occluded position, respectively. This embodiment
is substantially similar to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 26
and 27. This embodiment similarly includes a spring member 1244
that extends from the base portion 1234 of the female closure
element 1230. As best illustrated in FIG. 29, the primary
difference between the two embodiments is that the guide wings
1260, 1262 of this embodiment are adapted to act primarily upon the
female hook portions 1240, 1242 of the female closure element 1230.
By acting upon the female hook portions 1240, 1242, the female hook
portions may be pressed against male hook portions 1256, 1258 at an
angle rather than laterally. To establish this feature, the guide
wings 1260, 1262, of this embodiment, may be shorter, disposed
closer to webs 1252, 1254, or a combination thereof as compared to
the guide wings 1160, 1162 of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 26
and 27.
FIG. 30 generally illustrates the positioning of the female and
male closure elements 1330, 1332 with respect to a film 1304 that
defines a container. The female and male closure elements 1330,
1332 include base portions 1334, 1350, respectively. The base
portions 1334, 1350 attach the female and male closure elements
1330, 1332, respectively, to the same side of the film 1304. This
is the typical arrangement of the female and male closure elements
1330, 1332. This arrangement results in a container as illustrated
in FIG. 1. It should be noted, that in certain embodiments of the
invention, unlike the illustrated embodiment, the female and male
closure elements 1330, 1332 may be integrally formed with the film
1304. In that configuration, the film 1304, female closure element
1330, and male closure element 1332 would integrally form a unitary
body.
FIG. 31 illustrates a variation of the arrangement in FIG. 30. In
this embodiment, the female and male closure elements 1430, 1432
are positioned on opposite sides of a film 1404. This configuration
can be used to electrically insulate wires or bind together a group
of wires. Furthermore, because the female and male closure elements
1430, 1432 provide a sealed closure, this configuration can be used
to form a flexible straw.
The spring member may also be located on the webs. Referring to
FIG. 32, the spring member 1544 is located on web 1538 and extends
inwardly from the web 1538. In this embodiment, the spring member
1544 extends in a substantially horizontal direction and
substantially perpendicular to the web 1538. In this embodiment,
the spring member 1544 engages the hook portion 1558 as shown in
FIG. 32. In other embodiments, the spring member may extend at
other angles relative to the web and may extend inwardly or
outwardly from the web. In addition, the spring member may be
located on other webs, such as, webs 1536, 1552, 1554 or the guide
wings 1560, 1562 or combinations thereof or in combination with
other embodiments disclosed herein.
The spring member may be used with other closure devices or
fastening strips. For example, the spring member may be used with:
"arrowhead-type" or "rib and groove" fastening strips as described
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998; "profile" fastening strips as described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299; or "rolling action" fastening strips as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143.
For example, the interlocking fastening strips may comprise
"arrowhead-type" or "rib and groove" fastening strips as described
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998 and a variation shown in FIG. 34.
Referring to FIG. 34, the female fastening strip 1736 may include a
base 1734, webs 1736, 1738 and hook portions 1740, 1742. The male
fastening strip 1732 may include a base 1750, a web 1752, and hook
portions 1756, 1758. In FIG. 34, the fastening strips 1732, 1736
are loose such that the hook portions 1740, 1742, 1756, 1758 are
not in contact with each other. In other embodiments, the fastening
strips may have an appearance more similar to the fastening strips
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998.
Referring to FIG. 35, the fastening strips may include a spring
member 1844. In this embodiment, the spring member 1844 is located
on the base 1834 and acts upon the hook 1858. The spring member
1844 causes the hook portions to contact each other and create a
better seal. In other embodiments, the spring member 1844 may be
located on either fastening strip or both fastening strips. Also,
in other embodiments, the spring member may be located at other
locations, such as, the webs 1836, 1838, 1852, or the base
1850.
The closure devices can be manufactured in a variety of forms to
suit the intended use. The closure devices may be connected to a
container by the use of any of many known methods. For example, a
thermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with the
male and female closure elements of the closure device to cause a
transfer of heat through the film to produce melting at the
interface of the film and the base portions of the closure
elements. Suitable thermoelectric devices include heated rotary
discs, traveling heater bands, resistance-heated slide wires, and
the like. The connection between the film and the male and female
closure elements may also be established by the use of hot melt
adhesives, hot jets of air to the interface, ultrasonic heating, or
other known methods. The bonding of the male and female closure
elements to the film stock may be carried out either before or
after the film is U-folded to form the bag. In any event, such
bonding is done prior to side sealing the bag at the edges by
conventional thermal cutting. The male and female closure elements
would usually be positioned on the film in a generally parallel
relationship with respect to each other, although this will depend
on the intended use.
It should be noted that the illustrated arrangements in FIGS. 30
and 31 may be applied to all disclosed embodiments of the
invention.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and
patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically
indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its
entirety herein.
The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents
in the context of describing the invention (especially in the
context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both
the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having,"
"including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended
terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless
otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely
intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually
to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise
indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language
(e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better
illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the
scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the
specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed
element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein,
including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the
invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *